HEALTH

This isn’t last year’s flu season.

The 2011-2012 influenza outbreak was one of the mildest on record. Not so this year: Even early on in fall 2012, there were strong indications that this winter would see a marked resurgence of the flu bug.

ATLANTA — SoloHealth on Monday announced its new pay-per-performance ad format called SoloTrigger. A permission-based advertising format, SoloTrigger delivers targeted and relevant sponsor content that allows consumers to actively request additional information regarding products or services that will help them live a healthier lifestyle, the company stated. 

NEW YORK — While most of the nation is beginning to populate the cough-cold aisle in search of relief of their runny noses, coughs and sore throats, manufacturers of nonprescription cough-cold remedies are realizing the largest jump in sales that they've seen for quite some time. 

NEW YORK — Despite caution among consumers, retailers wrapped up 2012 with a healthy holiday shopping season, according to a new report by a retailing trade group.

The National Retail Federation said Tuesday that holiday retail sales increased 3% over the year before, to $579.8 billion. December retail sales increased 0.8% seasonally adjusted from November and 2.1% unadjusted year over year. Nevertheless, the 3% increase was still below the NRF's projected 4.1% growth. Meanwhile, nonstore holiday sales grew 11.1%.

GlaxoSmithKline’s Alli is back. And while the brand is still slightly down versus year-ago sales  — Alli posted a sales decline of 8.9% to $13.9 million across all channels for the 12 weeks ended Nov. 4, according to SymphonyIRI Group — overall, the category is trending up 15% in quarterly sales increases. The recent resumption of marketing efforts behind Alli coupled with recent New Year’s resolutions should maintain Alli’s position as the top-selling diet-aid tablet, and the only OTC option in the category.

EDINA, Minn. — Arkray recently launched Glucocard Expression, an audio-enabled blood glucose monitoring system that includes bilingual voice options so that consumers can hear their test results. Oversized picture icons and large tactile buttons also make the meter easier to use, and reliable test results are displayed in six seconds. Glucocard Expression also uses a small sample size and alternative site testing to increase comfort for users, Arkray stated.

Rather than take off for the holidays, the editors of Drug Store News took a look at the year ahead and the trends, issues and headlines that will makes the news in 2013.

What do you think? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and join the discussion there, or post your comments on DrugStoreNews.com ... Or, you can pretend it’s still 1999 and email your comments to [email protected]. Just don’t fax us.

NEW YORK — CVS/pharmacy has decided to stock Tylenol pain reliever in only half of its stores, according to a Reuters report published Monday. 

According to the report, CVS will stock Tylenol in each market, but not in each store as CVS seeks to plug any out-of-stock holes left behind by the initial recall of Tylenol three years ago and the brand's slow trek back to shelf.